Annevar Demo Derby

Super long post...and it is actually about Kurtis for once!!

In April, our friend Drew approached Kurtis saying he wanted to put together a derby car for the summer.  Drew wanted to drive but needed someone with a mechanic/race car background to help him build the car.  Together they bought themselves a car, gutted it and started from scratch. The car was originally white and Kurtis free handed all the painting and he even cut and welded the number 51 together on the top.  It was a long and busy few months to get the car ready for Annevar weekend but the guys did it with the help of a few other friends.  

The derby was on Father's Day, so Kurtis' parents and I headed to Ravenna to cheer them on.  My brother, sister-in-law and her family also joined us for the big event.  The guys also had lots of friends there to help, Drew's boys and a few people from our church came out to support them as well.  This was my brother's and my first experience at a derby and it was a BLAST. I was so nervous the entire time and it wasn't even my husband that was driving, but I knew how much time and effort they put into this project I wanted them to do well.  Kurtis kept making a comment that he didn't build a car to get beat up in; he built a car to WIN! 

 

There were two heats in Drew's class and Drew was in the first heat with 5 other cars. In each heat they took the top three cars that were still moving :) by the end of it.  Drew ended blowing up his radiator; however, it was fixable and he was still moving by the end of it so Drew placed 3rd in his heat. He was headed to the finals.  In the finals, Drew was one of the top 5 when his axel snapped causing him to not be able to move. :(  He was officially done; however, 5th place for their very first derby experience was awesome!  They ended up taking home a very smooshed up car and $100. 

Drew all geared up and ready to go! 

Making fixes for round 2! 

The finals!

The finished product after a 5th place finish!  There will definitely need some work done before July 24th.

Team 51 out celebrating!

Their next plan is to get it all fixed back up and head to Holdredge the middle of July for another competition.  They will also be competing in the State Fair!